"Back in the Forties, during World War II, Americans planted ‘Victory Gardens,' which were a great success.  We need to plant ‘Victory Gardens' again, except this time the enemy is hunger," Congresswoman Kaptur said at a news conference at Toledo Botanical Gardens.

"Hunger is stalking our community.  We must defeat it, and we will defeat it."

Kaptur, a member of the agriculture subcommittee of House Appropriations, said she hopes to see 1,000 members of the community pledge to join the Victory Garden campaign.

She cited a national report showing that Ohio ranks third among the 50 states in the percentage of young children who live on the brink of hunger. 

"Almost one of every four young children in Ohio suffers from food insecurity, and that is simply unacceptable," Kaptur said.  "No child in Northwest Ohio should go to bed hungry."

Kaptur was joined at the news conference by representatives of the Ohio State University Extension, Toledo Botanical Gardens, Toledo Grows, Toledo Seagate Foodbank, and the Maumee Valley Growers Association.  For more information on the sponsors, and to find out where to donate fresh produce, click here.

People can volunteer for the Victory Garden program by visiting the OSU Extension web site or by calling Kaptur's office at 419-259-7500 and asking for Katie Bibish.  You can also click here and write, "Yes, Marcy I will grow a garden this year and donate my extra to those in need." 

"We'll win this war on hunger because we're a community that sticks together," Kaptur said.  "We'll get through this together buy unlocking the power of the earth beneath our feet and the ingenuity and compassion of our people.  We will roll up our sleeves and help each other, because that's how we do things here."

For Toledo Blade coverage of this initiative, click here.

Fresh Produce Drop-Off
Toledo Botanical Gardens
419-536-5566

North End

Friendly Center
1324 N. Superior
419-243-1289

Jamie Farr Community Center
2140 N. Summit
419-936-2707

Central
Frederick Douglass Family Center
1001 Indiana Avenue
419-244-6722

Kitchen for the Poor
650 Vance Street
419-241-2596

South Toledo
The Providence House
Aurora Gonzalez Family Outreach
1949 Broadway
419-244-0666

Western Avenue Baptist
546 Western Ave.
419243-2221

Toledo Seagate Foodbank
526 High Street
419-244-6996

West Toledo
Our Lady of Lourdes
6149 Hill Ave.
419-865-2545

Feed Your Neighbor
444 Floyd Street
419-242-7401

Sylvania

Sylvania Area Family Service
5440 Marshall
419-882-8415

Perrysburg

Perrysburg Christian Food Pantry
17 Meadowpond
419-874-7561

Sponsors of this project include: